How to burn Linux ISO to USB on Windows 11/10 PC?

If you're looking for a software to burn Linux ISO to USB on Windows 10/11 computer. ’d say UNetb00tin fits the bill perfectly. Now, I get that it’s a bit of a fan favorite among some users, but trust me, the first time I tried using UNetb00tin, I was super excited. I’d heard people talk about it, so I thought, “How hard could it be?” I had my Linux ISO ready to roll, plugged in my USB, and launched the app. It looks pretty straightforward at first glance, but let me tell you—the devil is in the details!

+1 for the CMD utility and the Windows 11/10 Media Creation Tool is unable to burn Linux ISO to USB as the partition scheme is totally different.

The core principle of a Linux boot disk is to make the Linux kernel and initialization program (Initramfs) loaded preferentially when the computer boots by writing them to the boot partition of the USB device. The following are the key steps:

Step 1: USB Device Recognition

Windows abstracts USB devices as virtual discs through drivers, with each partition corresponding to a logical unit (LUN). You need to locate the disc number of the target USB device (e.g. Disk 2) via diskpart or wmic command.

Step 2: Unlocking write protection

By default, Windows locks the read-only properties of USB devices to prevent accidental formatting. The readonly attribute needs to be cleared with diskpart.

Step 3: Partition Alignment and Formatting

Linux bootloader requires a specific partition structure (e.g. FAT32 boot partition + Ext4 root partition). If the USB is not properly partitioned, delete the existing partition and create a new boot partition.

Step 4: Burn Linux ISO to USB

Use the dd command to copy the boot partition contents of the Linux ISO directly to the corresponding partition on the USB device. the ISO file usually already contains a bootloader (e.g. GRUB), so there is no need to install it.

Step 5: BIOS/UEFI Setup

When finished, you need to manually select to boot from the USB device in the system boot menu, bypassing the default boot sequence of Windows.

When you burning Linux ISO to USB on Windows computer. Make sure the ISO you downloaded is compatible with the USB burning software you’re using. Some tools prefer specific ISO types, and you’ll want to ensure that the image is for a bootable USB. I learned this the hard way when I grabbed an ISO from the web that was designed for a different purpose (not bootable) and spent a while trying to figure out why my USB wasn’t working. After you’ve successfully burned your USB, don’t forget about boot order settings! If your computer’s set to boot from the hard drive first, it won’t recognize your USB. I’ve had to enter the BIOS a few times to change the boot priority, just to find out I missed that step. Just give it a quick check first!

Sometimes ISO files can get corrupted during the download process. If you burn a faulty ISO, you’ll run into all sorts of issues once you try to boot. I once finished burning, only to find that my Linux installer wouldn’t even start. Always make sure to verify the checksum (like MD5 or SHA) if it’s provided on the site. It saves a ton of headache!

About burning Linux ISO to USB, not all USB drives are created equal. Using a super slow USB can lead to longer burning times and can even cause issues when booting up, especially for live environments. I had a cheap no-name brand USB once, and it took forever to load. If possible, stick with USB 3.0 drives for better speed.

One effective way to create a Linux bootable USB on Windows PC is using the built-in Command Prompt utility. It will format the USB and burn Linux ISO to USB drive. This will make the USB a bootable Linux device. After that, follow the steps in below to install Linux from USB:

1. Enter BIOS → Boot tab → Set USB device as the first boot item.

2. Insert the USB stick and reboot the computer → Enter BIOS and select USB boot → Enter Linux installation interface.

3. Use fdisk or gparted tool to customize the partition layout (e.g. dual system, RAID, etc.).

4. Wait for the progress bar to complete → Restart your computer. First time login: follow the prompts to set user name and password.

5. After login, open ‘This PC’ → Right click on the USB stick → ‘Safely Eject’.

If you are going to burn Linux ISO to USB. I’ve got your back. I’ve used a couple of different methods over the years, and they’re pretty straightforward. Let's dive into one of my favorites: balanaEtchar. It’s simple, slick, and does the job without any fuss.

What You’ll Need:
1. A USB Drive: At least 4GB (again, double-check—anything on it will get wiped).
2. A Linux ISO: Download the distro you want to try (like Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.).
3. balanaEtchar: This cool app that’s free and doesn’t require any extra tweaking.

Steps to burn Linux iso to USB using balanaEtchar:

1. Plug in Your USB Drive: Insert the USB drive into a USB port. Make sure to back up anything important because, spoiler alert, it’s about to get wiped.
2. Open balanaEtchar: Fire up balanaEtchar. You’ll see a clean and simple interface that makes it quite user-friendly.
3. Select Your ISO: Click on “Flash from file” or just drag and drop your Linux ISO into the window. Super easy, right? 
4. Choose Your USB Drive: Next, click on “Select Target.” balanaEtchar usually auto-detects your USB drives, so pick the right one from the list. Just make sure you don’t accidentally format your external drive or something!
5. Start Burning: Hit the “Flash!” button. balanaEtchar will warn you that it’ll erase everything on the USB.
6. Once you’re sure, confirm it again by clicking “Yes.” 
7. Chill for a Bit: Just hang tight as it burn Linux ISO to USB. It usually takes just a few minutes. You’ll see a progress bar that makes it easy to know how much longer you’ve got to wait.
8. Done! Eject the USB: Once it gives you the green light that it’s finished, you can safely eject your USB drive from Windows Explorer by right-clicking and hitting “Eject.”

Now, pop that USB into whichever computer you want to boot Linux on. Boot it up and press the right key to enter the BIOS/boot menu (usually F2, F12, ESC, or DEL, depending on the machine). Select your USB from the list, and you should be off and running with Linux!

It is not possible to create a Linux boot disc directly using Windows Media Creation Tool. It is an official Windows system deployment tool provided by Microsoft and is only used for:

1. Download the latest Windows ISO (e.g. Windows 11/10).
2. Make a Windows ISO into a boot USB stick or DVD.
3. Extend the system installation image (add language packs, drivers, etc.).

This free Windows bootable USB creation tool relies on Microsoft's proprietary Windows PE and boot profiles, which are completely incompatible with Linux boot mechanisms. Linux ISOs usually use FAT32 boot partition + Ext4 root partition or UEFI partition table, while Windows tools generate NTFS format + Windows boot partition by default.

In addition, Microsoft tools only allow distribution and modification of Microsoft-licensed content, while Linux distributions usually use the GPL, which is a conflicting licensing model, so the tool itself does not support Linux images.

Windows Media Creation Tool can only be used for Windows deployment, it can not create Linux boot discs. You need to use other tools to burn Linux ISO to USB on Windows 11/10 and clean install Linux from a working bootable USB drive.